YOGA

By Silke Polanco

“When your body is healthy, and your mind is tranquil,
You will know bliss
Because you are blissful, your mind will concentrate easily
Being concentrated, you will see things as they really are
In so seeing, you will become aware that life is a miracle
Being so aware, you will lose all your attachments
and awaken to your true Self,
Which is naturally happy and peaceful and bright.
All delusions will melt like a dream.
And so,
You will be free.”

(Translation of Sanskrit Yoga Mantras)

Yoga’s popularity is growing because is it an excellent physical workout and because many discover a feeling of physical well-being early-on in their practice. Yoga is a 5,000-year-old physical and philosophical discipline from India that joins the mind and body together through breathing exercises coordinated with sequences of postures. Yoga increases lung capacity, circulation and improves internal organ function. On the mental level, yoga relieves stress and anxiety, promotes good sleep, reduces mental fatigue and increases energy. Yoga is a series of a low impact exercises that improve strength and flexibility, build concentration, and can be easily modified for different skill levels and abilities – all in the same class.

Yoga has ancient philosophical and spiritual components that make it fascinating. In addition, there are numerous styles and literally thousands of postures that allow growth at any level of accomplishment. There is always a new level to which a person can aspire.

The main benefits of practicing yoga are:

• Strengthens and tones the muscles
• Weight loss (due to increased metabolism)
• Increases flexibility
• Increases energy
• Reduces stress and anxiety
• Increases concentration & focus
• Reduces risk of sports injury
• Improves posture
• Increases creativity and motivation

The Aztec Recreation Center (ARC) offers four different types of yoga classes for all levels of students from beginners to advanced. Each type of yoga varies distinctly from other types, so try many of them before you judge which class or teacher is right for you.

• Ashtanga – This is a vigorous style of yoga that goes though a series of postures designed to build strength at the edge of your flexibility. Participants can expect an intense upper body workout and classes with consistent warm-up routines. A typical Ashtanga class will include balance postures like tree pose Classes vary in duration from 50 minutes to 75 minutes.
• Vinyasa – In this class you stretch and strengthen your body through a flowing sequence of postures connected by the breath for a great cardio routine. Students move in and out of postures in succession, gaining a deep leg and core workout. Classes are 50 minutes.
• Kripalu – In this class you learn to integrate the body and the mind with gentle, fluid movements and postures to develop flexibility and alignment, as well as practicing deep relaxation, breath control and brief meditation. A typical class will delve deeply into one area of the body, teaching students a wide variety of poses. Classes are 50 minutes long.
• Hatha – This is a slow-paced class with stretching and strength-building poses effective for injury recovery, balance, alignment and mental focus. Participants will perform twisting poses that are great for the spine and immune system, as well as bound poses that help the internal organs. Classes are 50 minutes long.
• Ashtanga/Vinyasa – A 75-minute high energy class that combines both Ashtanga and Vinyasa style yoga routines into a breath-based flowing sequence of poses that increases cardio capacity, flexibility and strength, with special focus on abdominal poses. Expect a challenging and athletic class, with rhythmic music and a variety of routines.

See the Aztec Recreation Center (ARC) for more details.

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